Union, N.J. – Stockton University (12-5, 7-3 NJAC) slumped offensively in the first half and never caught up to hot-shooting Kean University (9-8, 7-3 NJAC) in an 89-79 defeat. With the outcome, the Ospreys slid out of sole possession of first place in the conference and into a four-way tie for the top spot.
 
EJ Matthews-Spratley (Cherry Hill/CH East) scored a game-high 23 points to lead Stockton. Matthews-Spratley went 13-14 (92.9%) at the free throw line and added six rebounds and four assists.
 
Christian Armstrong-Thomas (Marlton/Cherokee) shot 7-9 (77.8%) from the field and 3-4 (75%) at the line for a career-high 17 points. Armstrong-Thomas tied Matthews-Spratley for the team lead with four assists as well.
 
Jahmir Payoute (Irvington/Snyder) hit double figures for the third straight game with 10 points and grabbed a career-high nine rebounds. Michael Evans (Sicklerville/Doane Academy) came off the bench and notched career highs of 10 points, four rebounds and 17 minutes played.
 
After forging an early 11-all tie, Stockton netted just six points in the next nine minutes and fell behind 30-17. A Devon Johnson (Pine Hill/Overbrook) three-pointer made it 30-20, but the Ospreys were outscored 20-12 the rest of the half and faced a 50-32 shortfall at the break.
 
Stockton shot just 33.3% (9-27) including only 3-16 (18.8%) from three-point range in the first half while Kean connected at 59.4% (19-32), highlighted by a blazing 12-18 (66.7%) from beyond the arc. Matthews-Spratley (11), Armstong-Thomas (9) and Johnson (6) combined for all but six of Stockton's first-half points.
 
The Ospreys outscored Kean 47-39 in the second half but trailed by double figures for most of the period. Although they got within six points twice in the last 1:05, the Cougars went 8-8 at the line to hold off Stockton 89-79.
 
Stockton will play another NJAC road game on Saturday when the Ospreys visit William Paterson for a 3:00 p.m. contest.